Tag Archives: ’50’s

1950’s SPECIAL OCCASION GOWN – PROM? PARTY? WHO KNOWS . . . . .

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A similar style, but going from day to evening and from pretty to dressy.  This dress is also sexy, however, with deep decolletage and sleeves that can be worn off the shoulder.  Fabric flower ornamentation on each sleeve.  I think this one was custom-tailored, also.

Just made for parties and dancing with a big, sweeping skirt.  Probably would have been worn with a crinoline underneath.  I found another dance dress a year or two ago with similar tailoring.  It’s always fun to see how these features repeat.  Tomorrow there’s another with something the same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FUN FIFTIES FROCK – STRAPLESS CUSTOM-TAILORED SUMMER DRESS

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Pretty easy-wear polished cotton sundress from the early to mid-1950’s, in the New Look style.  Bit of an atomic thing going on with the applique’ design.  Somebody had a lot of fun with this one!

Can’t wait to see it on Stella – it’s a real knockout on a gal with an hourglass figure. Marilyn would have loved it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

IT’S STILL WAY COLD ENOUGH FOR THESE.  BOTH ARE 1950’S TRUE VINTAGE.  THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS FROM MY FAMILY.  THERE’S HARDLY A MORE BEAUTIFUL FUR, THOUGH UNLESS I FIND A TRUE VINTAGE ITEM AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, I PREFER TO BUY IMITATION.2 BEAUTIFUL BEAVER JACKETS

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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MID-CENTURY LINGERIE – A VERY PRETTY 1950’S NEGLIGEE’ IN CHAMPAGNE YELLOW

IMG_1050IMG_1051     I just love finding one of these!  True vintage mid-century sleepwear is so precious and, often, beautiful.  The quality material, tailoring details and interesting styles are great – whether it’s a woman’s garment or a man’s!

This beauty has gorgeous lace detail at the shoulders and is in virtually perfect condition. An example of the extraordinary care taken in the past is the little decorative bows, which are attached by tiny safety pins so that they can be removed and the gown can be washed without damage.  I’ve seen many done this way and it’s such a high quality practice that has been lost.

Back in the day, this was more or less a run-of-the-mill item and now would be an exclusive and expensive one.  And we think we’re so smart . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FABULOUS FIND! POST-WAR 1940’S SHEER DAY DRESS

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Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!  One of my favorite finds, from a favorite decade.  And, in beautiful condition.

Very popular post-war shirtwaist day dress with pretty, carved rhinestone buttons.  This was a day-to-day item for women in the late Forties and early Fifties when nice clothing was becoming available again.  The prints were so interestng.

This one was hiding in a big way, but not from the Magicvintagespy.  What will show up next?  You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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RARE ONCE AGAIN – 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S MEN’S KNIT POLO SHIRT

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Just LOVE finding these knitwear items that have been so well-preserved for 50 – 60 years!!  Unusual finds are always tons of fun.

This shirt was made by a Sears, Roebuck & Co. brand that quit producing in the early 1960’s.  Very nicely tailored, with a longer tail (prevents embarrassing views that are all too common today).  Hard-to-see in this photo, but the sleeves are a ribbed knit contrast to the flat knit of the body.

These older things all have features and stories to tell that keep revealing themselves.  The star item of my recent adventures is coming up tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ANTIQUE QUILT TO TRUE VINTAGE RETRO CLOTHING: LET’S START WITH FABULOUS COTTON FABRICS FROM THE EARLY 1900’S

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JUST A SAMPLING –  NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT TODAY!

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These wonderful cotton prints may have come from clothing that had worn out and had to be re-purposed.  Love the pink check that’s in the apron!  The quilt has many blocks that are not damaged at all, though some show wear.  For being about 100 years old, it was well-looked-after and still holds together.

What I love most about a find like this is the rare materials that all have a story.  The prints are so great – little anchors, fleur des lis, vines and flowers, paisley and plaid, checks and stripes.  There are more, but I can only show so many photographs at once.

So, I know it’s not a piece of clothing (excepting for the apron accessory) but it’s such a wonderful trip back to fabrics and garments from the early 1900’s.  This quilt was probably made between 1920 and 1950.  It’s not often that we get to see these, so I jump at the opportunity!  It’s one that I only come across now and then and, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LATEST DISCOVERY: MID-CENTURY LADIES BLOUSE – SO RARE!

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I just LOVE classic mid-century blouses with roll-up sleeves and wing collars!  It’s so unusual to find one in good condition.  This one even has pretty sculpted buttons with a star in the center.  Although it’s barely visible in the photo, there’s even a line of fine embroidery in a contrasting green on the seams in the front placket.

The fabric is also do die for – not sure whether it’s a cotton or rayon because the hand is very smooth.  This shirt is very finely tailored, with all kinds of extra-quality touches on a simple, everyday garment.  Well, that’s just how it goes with true vintage clothing – there’s nothing better.

Almost missed it – but when you’ve got the eye for the subtleties, things turn up.  What will be next? –  you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE

According to moi, one can never own too many pairs of beautiful pumps.  They can be worn with almost anything, are easy to walk and dance in and are tremendously flattering to most women.  Some lucky girls look just as good in anything, wearing flats, but most legs and overall stature are improved by the height and lift provided by a heel.

This pair are sturdy, standard issue, with no particular brand name (I’m not altogether familiar with branding in the UK).  The important thing is the cut and the materials, which are both exceptional.  Though it’s hard to see in the photo, there is a black leather detail on the outside vamp.  Love it!

I’ll have these for decades. The mid-high heel is very versatile and the neutral brown is good any time of year.  Looks great with white and beige in the summer.  I found them in Canada, where British goods are more common, but I find items made all over the world in places far from their origin. That is half the fun and excitement of the hunt. As always, you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY MID-CENTURY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

1951 PARIS DESIGNER ENSEMBLE INTERPRETED BY AMERICAN CLOTHIER NELLIE DON

This is a really interesting find!  A plain belted sheath dress with removable peplum.  I encountered a photo several years ago that told me the year it was designed and the designer.  I can’t remember the designer’s name – can anyone help out?   It was a famous name that we all know.

This one was styled by Nellie Don, a company which made very reasonably-priced clothing items for women in America – not couture.  Usually a year or two after styles came out in Paris they found their way into the U.S. one way or another.  So, this dress would probably have hit the store racks in 1952 or 1953.

It’s made of an unremarkable heavy-ish fabric – some kind of cotton blend in an abstract print – with a center back metal zipper.  But, it is an unusual length for that time – just a bit below the knee.  The Paris trends would have told us when hems wer  going up again!

I was quite surprised when I discovered it, hiding in an odd little shop, and it was a revelation when I noticed that photo! You really just never know . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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